Bridal Boutique, midday
Sybil rushed towards the shop she had been redirected to at the church. She had clearly needed the extra sleep but that didn't change the fact that she was now extraordinarily late, hoping sincerely that she could slip in and still witness Mary revealing her dress for the first time.
It hadn't helped that all she had was a vague point in the right direction from Matthew and Isobel, anyway, she was now about to enter, prepared to shower her mother and grandmother in excuses.
"I am so sorry, mama, granny, I dreadfully overslept. Am I too late?"
"Never mind that now dear, you are just in time"
Violet waved off her granddaughter's profuse apologies in anticipation of seeing her other granddaughter step out in her wedding dress.
"Sybil! I am so glad you made it, I was just about to show mama and granny."
Mary was delighted, her voice reaching over the curtain to announce her joy and prepare the room for her entrance.
The atmosphere was electric as Mary stepped out to show her mother, grandmother, and sister her chosen dress. It was not custom-made and fitted as it would have been under different circumstances; but it was beautiful.
It was silk, in a creamy white color, the silhouette traditional and simple, but the perfect shape to outline Mary's figure. The sleeves were long, in the same beautiful material, and slightly loose, but the detail that elevated it was elegantly embroidered flowers of a silver color, which bloomed across the bodice and skirt, catching the sunlight and dazzling the three ladies before them.
The ladies displayed varying degrees of shock; Sybil's mouth was wide open, Cora beamed with sparkling eyes, and Violet radiated a dignified pride in her granddaughter she expressed through a look.
"Sybil dear, it is unladylike to gape; anyone would think you were a goldfish!"
Mary and Cora found this very amusing and couldn't stifle their laughter as Sybil obeyed, sitting up straighter and blushing, followed by a smile as she caught on to what was no more than a playful quip from her grandmother.
"Mary, it's beautiful! You look wonderful, absolutely perfect; don't change a thing!"
Sybil gushed as she watched her sister light up even more at the reactions of the three most important women in her life.
"Oh Mary! I agree, it couldn't be more perfect."
Cora struggles to hold back tears of joy whilst seeing her daughter the happiest she has ever been.
"Yes, everything has worked itself out quite perfectly"
Violet does better at disguising her emotions, however the other women can tell how deeply she feels this moment from the slight waver in her voice.
She is also very pleased with the outcome of her meddling.
Back at the Church
"How do you plan a wedding in 4 hours? It needs to be perfect, do you understand?"
Matthew rushes around in a state of panic.
"Apologies Mr Wilkins, I know you are doing everything you can"
Isobel places a hand on his arm to help calm him.
"Matthew, you realise that the most important thing is for you to relax and enjoy your wedding. I promise it will be perfect, given the time we have to work with. Mary wants you calm and ready to get married in four hours, just focus on that."
"I know that, of course I do. Yes, try not to panic, I can do that...I think."
Matthew breathes through his thought process, pacing less and less.
"I am so proud of you, my darling boy. You are so lucky to be able to marry someone you love so completely, even if it isn't in the most usual circumstances. And we shall thank Violet for that, without questioning how she managed it."
They both break out into relieved laughter, mainly at the thought of poor Mr Wilkins being powerless against the mighty Dowager Countess of Grantham.
The Church, four o'clock in the afternoon
The large double doors were closed with Mary, Sybil, and Cora standing together outside them. This was it, Sybil would walk in as her bridesmaid and then it was her turn. Conflicting feelings still linger as Mary wishes her father could be giving her away, and that Carson could watch her get married to the love of her life. Maybe after the war they would have a ceremony for everyone, the thought of that made her feel better.
The organ starts to play a beautiful tune, notably not a wedding march since the organist doesn't play at weddings, a future dinner party anecdote for sure. The doors open, Mary searches for Matthew as Sybil makes her way down the aisle in a beautiful lilac dress. Cora takes her daughter's hand and squeezes it before leading her in.
There are days when you can feel just a little bit of magic in the air, a sense of childhood wonder created by the combination of love, belief and the beauty of nature. This was one of those days, everyone in the church could feel it as Mary approached the alter. Finally, her veil was pulled back and she met Matthew's eyes. Matthew stood in awe of the woman who stood before him, agreeing to spend the rest of her life with him. Mr Wilkins had to pull them out of this state to begin the ceremony.
He goes through all the motions as usual, but sees the love in the eyes of the two lovers and and feels the beauty of the moment.
"Gather ye now one and all to witness this special day, a love such as this weathers the blanket of snow, and in turn each flower waiting for the sun. The whisper of the wind and the rain holds promise within such a partnership. No matter where you call your home, with the light of love in your hearts, thou shall never truly part, no matter how far you roam."
Every eye has a glistening tear in it upon hearing this, it is quite a surprise, but a welcome one they will treasure forever.
"Matthew Reginald Crawley, do you take Mary Josephine Crawley to be your wife?"
"I do"
Matthew beams, as he struggles to hold back his own tears.
"Mary Josephine Crawley, do you take Matthew Reginald Crawley to be your husband?"
"I do"
Mary has to restrain herself from kissing him immediately, it wouldn't be proper. But she rethinks when their eyes meet again, nothing about this has been proper, she will just have to beg Granny for forgiveness later.
They kiss, with just the right amount of passion, enough to make each other shiver with excitement, but not enough to earn an incredibly unsubtle interruption from her grandmother.
They turn to their family members, joy flowing through their bodies, they did it. It was an incredible feeling for both parties, especially as they tried to contain the passion that kiss had ignited. It was almost as if no time passed at all between that moment and them arriving back at Matthew's childhood home.
"Please can we drink to Mary and Matthew?"
Sybil begged her mother, Cora smiles but looks suspiciously at Sybil.
"And this would have nothing to do with the fact that you are not really allowed to drink, young lady?"
Cora teases, of course they will do a toast but she revels in the amusement of her daughter behaving like she did when she was much younger.
"I am allowed, just Papa says never more that one glass, and it's always his choice"
Sybil, despite being an adult, is still forced to drink whatever her father does, and it is revolting. She wants to try champagne.
Mary and Matthew can't even hear this, they are too busy being disgustingly in love with each other, responding sporadically to questions and congratulations from their family and friends.
"Matthew, can you hear me? Oh, good you are still with us. I want you and Mary to go to a hotel tonight so we are all out of your hair, I shall pay and I do not want to hear any argument, it is decided."
Violet firmly instructs the newlyweds with care in her voice.
"Well, there is the Grand, I have never been of course but I'm sure it will be perfect"
Matthew takes his wife's hand and convinces her.
"That sounds divine, as much as I love my family, I just want to be with you"
Violet has already politely left by this point and she instructs everyone else to quickly say their goodbyes.
It won't be a proper honeymoon, but right now, Mary and Matthew cannot think of anything better. Mary mouths one last thank you to Sybil for her determination and internally vows to do the same for her one day. Perhaps if Papa's worst fear comes true and there is something between Sybil and Branson. But that was a concern for another day, as was everything except from being with her husband.
They enter their room at the Grand and embrace each other fully, taking the moment in and vowing to keep it in their hearts for as long as they lived, and maybe a bit longer.